Get ready for Kenny Rogers’ healthy lifestyle

Ask any cook in the world, and chances are he’ll agree that roasting and grilling are two of the healthiest ways of cooking food. When you roast, the fat drips off the meat, leaving it virtually fat-free, ensuring even cooking. When you grill, the same thing happens, and you get meat that’s perfectly cooked, too.

Among the casual dining restaurant chains in the country, Kenny Rogers Roasters has been offering Filipino diners roast chicken for many years now. Aside from its famous chicken, its line of side dishes serves veggies in a variety of guises that make them more than just palatable.

It has also come out with a line of grilled meats on its menu; a selection of flavored muffins to complement its regular corn muffins; and just recently, it introduced its fresh sandwiches, 10 choices served on whole wheat bread.

Kenny Rogers now ups the ante with its Kenny’s Open ’08, to be held at the Rockwell Tent this Sunday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event, which is being held in cooperation with Coke Light, Fitness First, Nike Stadium, Adidas, Nutrition Desk, Gymboree and Little Tikes, is merely an extension of the roast chicken chain’s vision of a healthy lifestyle.

Roasters Philippines’ group marketing director Karen Navarro Cosico says Kenny’s Open ’08 is “a marriage of the food and lifestyle we are promoting.”

“We were surprised at the support we got,” says Cosico. “We hope to continue this further, since this is our first time to do something like this.”

The event, which is open free to the public, will see activities catering to the whole family and scheduled throughout the day. There will be an appearance by Kenny Rogers endorser Marc Nelson, along with Amazing Race partner Rovilson Fernandez, and model Amanda Griffin, who will be hosting some of the activities; specially choreographed hour-long routines from Fitness First where guests can join in; fun, physical activities to be coordinated by Gymboree and Little Tikes; one-on-one health and diet consultations with dietitians and nutritionists; sales of workout gear at great prices; hourly raffles; ice-cold Coke Light and other Coke products; and the introduction of a new line of Kenny Rogers items.

Cosico said the new items raises the menu by a notch with the introduction of steak cuts and salmon to the grill line. The new items will be tested for market reaction at the events, and some items may eventually be introduced in some Kenny Rogers branches around the country.

Although the chain has been offering healthy food all these years, it has seen an improvement in its sales when it actively positioned itself as a restaurant offering healthy food.

“Pinoy diners look for what makes you different from other restaurants. Feedback from our focus group discussions showed that there is a growing concern for health, and that we are the brand that can say we are healthy,” Cosico adds.

To underline its position as a restaurant offering healthy food, it got as endorser Marc Nelson, who is known for being a fitness buff. In fact, Cosico says Nelson admits he has been a Kenny Rogers regular, enjoying its roast chicken, corn muffins and fries. Now, he is even invited to attend the company’s product development sessions for his inputs.

Along with its vision of a healthy lifestyle, it has also been implementing a gradual renovation of the Kenny Rogers look. Yes, the old country interiors are being revamped for a more upbeat and modern ambience. The Kenny Rogers memorabilia and wooden booth seating will make way for light boxes of Kenny’s healthy products and modern furniture.

Healthy food, a healthy lifestyle, and a whole new look for Kenny Rogers — a truly fresh start for the new year.

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For details on Kenny’s Open ’08, visit the nearest Kenny Rogers branch or log on to www.kennys.com.ph.